Kennel Club Canine Genetics Centre – URGENT APPEAL
As some of you may be aware the Kennel Club has withdrawn funding from the
Canine Genetics Centre to concentrate funding on BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) and IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease). This leaves the centre in a very vulnerable position and a shortfall of £345,000 per annum. They are currently reaching out for urgent help from Dog breeders, dog owners and breed custodians such as the Societies, Clubs and Associations. As a breed the Hungarian Vizsla has benefitted greatly from their work with regards to investigating Idiopathic Epilepsy and Inherited Eye Disease in particular. It is for this reason I am encouraging everyone to consider either a one-off donation or setting up a monthly direct debit to help them and the future of our breed. I’d ask particularly breeders/owners who have benefited to dig deep.
It’s easy to do, so if you can donate, please use the following link:
http://www.canine-genetics.org.uk and look for the “DONATE” button.
Crufts Health Testing
As with previous years, we will be holding several health testing sessions at Crufts this year, including discounted DNA testing, free Respiratory Function Grading testing for Pugs, French Bulldogs and Bulldogs, and discounted eye testing sessions.
The eye testing which is pertinent to our breed and should include gonioscopy, can be booked on a first come, first served basis and allocated in the order received. Appointments can be booked directly through The Kennel Club website. The BVA/KC/ISDS Eye scheme examination at Crufts 2024 costs £30.00 per dog, reduced from the £47.50 rate of a normal group session.
Exhibitors must bring their dog’s Kennel Club registration certificate to the appointment, along with any previous eye test certificates, and exhibitors must already have a dog pass to book an eye test appointment.
Exhibitors who secure an appointment are asked to bring their dog’s Kennel Club registration certificate with them.
VetCompass dog owner survey
Finally, the Royal Veterinary College are embarking on a new study “Why do we love the dogs we do”, looking at how people perceive different canine characteristics and have asked if we could share through our breed communities.
They need participants for their online survey, which takes around 10-15 minutes. You can take part whether you own a dog or not, although they are particularly interested in hearing from people who own dogs with shorter muzzles and/or flatter faces (brachycephalic dogs).
The survey link can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/whywelovedogs